Caleb Hemmer
@CalebHemmer
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Tennessee State Representative - House District 59
Nashville, TN
Joined February 2012
Best “No” vote I ever cast. Vouchers are the worst public policy idea for education and the data, evidence and stories from voucher states prove that point. This is a case of failed leadership from our Governor and I know we can do better and deserve better for Tennessee.
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My normally apolitical wife gave what I consider as very sage political advice for me and my fellow colleagues. "Don't these Legislators know that women (and especially moms) hold grudges when they are wronged. like FOREVER!" #igotthememo.
Writes @AuntB: Pissed-off conservatives who have been done wrong by their representatives need to unseat a few of them.
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Today in pop-health sub, the committee killed bills to protect Tennessean’s right to an IVF and contraception. Let that sink in and if women aren’t livid already, then you aren’t paying attention.
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Curiosity got the best of me and I made a trip to the Legislative Security desk to ask "How many guns have you checked and allowed in this week?" The answer surprised even me. An est. 25-30 firearms were allowed into our building during the first two days(in one entrance).🧵.
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Not only is the Commissioner of Education not qualified to hold the position per state law, she isn’t even a resident of Tennessee after holding the job for 10 months. We have had enough of her and her voucher scam and called on her to resign immediately.
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I’ve worked at the Legislature for 20 years and never seen a committee room cleared until today. 😔 . Don’t give up and keep showing up!.
NOTABLE — they kicked out Covenant School parents as part of this clearing.
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The voters of Tennessee’s 59th District have spoken today and I am both humbled and honored to be chosen as their State Representative. I am so proud of the campaign we have run and of the incredible support we have received that propelled us to victory.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50% (47 of 95) of Tennessee counties, the largest employer is the Public School System. Any legislator that votes for the #voucherscam isn't just hurting children and schools in their district, but their largest employer too. 🧵.
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I donated my per diem salary from the Special Session on Public Safety to @voices4saferTN & @RiseAndShineTN. I cannot in any good conscience accept a salary for a week of unproductive disputes, wasted resources, and zero bills that seriously address sensible gun reforms.
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@benshapiro @MattWalshBlog Well….it leaves you speechless when someone admits they are in favor of 16 child brides getting pregnant. Here is what really went down!
🏳️⚧️ WATCH: “YOU HAVE NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND, CORRECT?” . Using his own words, TN Dems @VoteBo @JRClemmons @CalebHemmer grill Matt Walsh about the #TransYouthHealthCareBan his fearmongering pushed @WilliamLamberth @SenJohnson @GovBillLee to prioritize this session (over kids’ lives)
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So the Tenn. Firearms Association own poll shows 62% support Red Flag laws in Tennessee and only 25% oppose. This is the third straight statewide poll showing an overwhelming majority of Tennesseans support these common sense gun reforms. #enoughisenough
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I had a call with a group who were having second thoughts about holding a convention in Nashville. Thankfully, I was able to explain how we are an inclusive and welcoming community. If you don't think GOP politics of divisiveness isn't hurting the TN brand, then pay attention!.
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Alternative headline: A Nazi-loving, ultra-MAGA conservative candidate got 20% of the vote in the most wealthy and educated county in Tennessee.
Voters soundly reject Gabrielle Hanson, other MAGA candidates in historic Franklin, Tennessee election.
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Secure storage of firearms isn’t just good public policy, it’s personal. I’ll be bringing this issue back up in January and leading the fight again.
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I wasn't around for the last #voucherscam vote, but the tales of bribery and political shenanigans are well known. Before any of the arm twisting from the Governor starts for this boondoggle, let me state I am 💯against any voucher legislation and let me tell you why. 🧵.
.@GovBillLee will propose a bill Tuesday afternoon to establish a new statewide school voucher program, offering $7,075 in state funds to 20,000 students to attend a private or home school in 2024-25—and opening universal eligibility beginning in 2025.
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The data doesn't lie, Tennessee Voucher Schools have underperformed their public schools, two years in a row! The @Tennessean has a deep dive into the second year of the disastrous TCAP results for the current #voucherscam and let me give you a summary. 🧵
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The recent Vanderbilt study states, "Medicaid expansion is one of the most effective policies that states can implement to not only prove access to health care…. but it also improves the family's economic stability and reduces poverty."
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This quote from Covenant mom, Mary Joyce in the NYT hits hard and encompasses the frustration so many Tennesseans feel at the lack of action on common sense gun reforms. “I have been silent and quiet and composed. And I am sick of it. Listen to me.”
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Got a new T-shirt. Think I’ll be wearing it a lot over the next few months! #protectpubliceducation #voucherscam
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This graph from todays @Tennessean story about Nashville’s problem with guns being stolen in cars and the trend since we passed the guns in trunk law a decade ago. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see we have a major problem that gets worse every year.
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Wow! A TN private school took state voucher payments then doubled their private school tuition. #voucherscam.
This is amazing. Wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home. After a long nap, I've slowly been collecting tuition from 2021 and 2022 school years. In 2021, before vouchers, one school's tuition was $3,500. In 2022, after vouchers, it jumps up to $7,000. Most egregious instance yet.
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🎯 what’s happening in TX is what HAS been happening in TN. Pay attn folks, it’s all connected. Same playbook, different state. Support #publiceducation and our teachers.
Two billionaire mega-donors are trying to dismantle public education in Texas. Voucher scams, book bans, CRT scares — it’s all part of their plan to close our neighborhood schools. I explained their strategy in a community meeting… #txlege
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All House @TNDemocrats walked out of Session today in solidarity with @brotherjones_ and the public who were both unfairly silenced.
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Doing nothing is not an option. Proud to have joined 9k people linking arms asking for common sense gun reforms. @voices4saferTN
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According to FBI stats, Tennessee is the worst in the nation at having guns stolen in cars (and most were unlocked!). @yarbro and I are tackling this problem head on to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
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If your policy proposal can’t pass without sketchy tactics, perhaps it is just a bad bill. Vouchers are not wanted in Tennessee and no amount of corruption will make them popular.
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Tennessee is one of 8 states that allow concealed carry at the Capitol. Heck, even at the Okay Corral and Wild West you had a check your gun. It is asinine and foolish to allow guns in any governmental offices of elected officials.
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So proud to witness history and watch @kamalaharrs nominate @Tim_Walz for VP. I support the #HarrisWalz ticket because of their vision for America and I know they will fight for working families like mine. 🇺🇸1/3
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Initial public feedback to TN Gov. Bill Lee's office overwhelmingly supports new gun laws. Out of 10k comments, 72% are supportive of common sense Gun laws. via @tennessean.
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So we are going to magickly find $1.8B (3% of state budget) to replace Federal Ed. funds in TN but can't seem to find the $2.1B of funds owed to @TSU_Tigers. 🤔Make sense to you @CharlaneOliver @HaroldLoveJr?
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Back to the task at hand! On behalf of the Davidson Co. Delegation, honored to be given thousands of signatures from @mnpsnashville students asking for common sense gun reforms. Thank you to our student board member, Abenezer Hailie for hand delivering these to us.
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Meanwhile in another universe (or North Carolina). Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass Medicaid expansion and now 600K more people have health insurance. Tennessee can do the same thing and I will.continue to push this issue next session.
Gov. Cooper Statement on passage of state budget and Medicaid Expansion:
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As a school shooting survivor, I understand all too well that arming teaches will do more harm than good in our state. Was proud to stand with our teachers, parents, and students in opposing this bill and urge the Governor not to sign this legislation.
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Watching Comm. Reynolds testify reminded me of “Weekend at Bernie’s” as her two deputies had to prop her up repeatedly as she was void of any life. #resignreynolds.
.@GovBillLee’s education commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is NOT showing a firm grasp of the issues. Even voucher proponents are rolling their eyes.
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The week I announced I was running for office, I came out to find a window shot out of my truck and found a bullet in the floorboard. My first month in office after a heated hearing, I had so many death threats, we quit counting. Sadly, I am not alone.
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If vouchers are so good, why do they need to threaten legislators to pass them? 🤔.
Are school voucher forces trying to pass their legislation in Tennessee using threats? Here is my preview of tonight’s 6 PM investigation.
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After Special Session, I will be calling on the Speaker and Lt. Gov. to revisit this policy in the best interest of safety for our citizens, staff and fellow lawmakers. We don't need someone to get hurt first in order for us to do the right thing here!.
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I have requested the Attorney General review the qualifications of Education Commissioner Reynolds as there have been many questions and serious concerns that she doesn’t posses a teacher license as required by TN law.
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Is there a mercy rule for political candidates after Phil Williams has embarrassed Hanson so many nights straight in a row with his great reporting? 🫣.
EXCLUSIVE: Gabrielle Hanson fought Franklin Pride, but celebrated her scantily clad husband at Chicago Pride
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🤦🏻♂️ It’s always interesting when these “Constitutional Conservatives” skip the 1st amendment and start with 2nd. It’s extremely hypocritical that the public can bring guns, but not signs, into the Tennessee Legislature. #dobetter.
Skrmetti argued that the women who got removed from a House committee earlier this week didn't need "drastic relief.".
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While only those with a permit can bring their weapon into our offices, it doesn't make it any better or safer. This week, we've had AR15 wielding protestors and proud-boys. A scary guy on my own floor has been harassing and following @VoteGloriaJ, all the while, scaring staff.
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Wowza! Governor Lee doesn’t care that his Commissioner of Education in charge of TN students and makes $250k+ of taxpayer money isn’t a TN resident herself. What a joke!.
WATCH: “Will you expand on how you think @TNedu commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is qualified? Does she live in Tennessee?” . @GovBillLee insisted she is qualified, but had little to back it up and didn’t address evidence Dems presented that she remains a Texas resident.
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Great to have @AndyBeshearKY back in Nashville showing the @nashvilledems what true leadership looks like. The @TNDemocrats are honored to have you here and thankful for your support.
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See you in court.
NEW: State officials are on the cusp of controlling the board of Nashville International Airport, after a Friday vote approving final legislation. Democrats blasted the bill as part of a "war on Nashville" that would trigger a lawsuit.
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Letter sent on behalf of members of the Davidson County Legislative Delegation to the Metro Council in support of appointing @brotherjones_ to #TN52.
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🚨🚨🚨 - CALL TO ACTION! After yesterday’s events that were a complete distraction, now more than ever we are asking fellow legislators to make productive use of the final weeks of session and move forward on common sense gun policies. 🧵.
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Respectfully, a partisan assault on democracy is what occurred in Tennessee. Relatedly, I have yet to see you speak out against the multiple attacks on the sovereignty of Metro Government by the State. 🤔.
It would be a partisan assault on the sovereignty of the state of Tennessee for the Department of Justice to interfere with the Tennessee House of Representatives.
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How it started: Sen. Kelsey sponsored the bill to make it harder to expand Medicaid and 300K+ Tennesseans have lost out on health insurance. How it ended: Sen. Kelsey convicted of Felony and loses taxpayer funded health insurance and pension for the rest of his life.
BREAKING: Former Tennessee state Sen. Brian Kelsey was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his role in illegally steering money to his 2016 congressional campaign.
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Today is the seven year anniversary of when Sen. John McCain famously bucked his party and President Trump and gave the famous “thumbs down” vote to save #Obamacare which gives preexisting conditions protections to #cancer survivors like me.
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Pediatricians op-ed in @Tennessean : Make Tennessee the next state to provide free lunches to students in school
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Thank you @SecretaryPete for providing $32M In emergency funds to help our neighbors in East TN to get our roads back open.@myTDOT.
Hurricane Helene ravaged the highways through East Tennessee. With $32 million in federal help, the repairs are being fast-tracked.
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I passed my first bill today. HB1231 is the #TicketTransparency bill that will allow consumers to know the true price of a ticket before it is purchased and prohibit fake URLs by ticket scalpers. Thanks to @Campbell4TN @Kathryn_Farris @BethJoslinRoth
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I ran for the TN General Assembly out of a sense of civic duty and to help people in my beloved City of Nashville and across the State of Tennessee. Today is a sad day for our State where the petty politics of retribution showed its ugly face. 🧵.
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Thank you @JoeBiden for highlighting our efforts for common sense gun reforms and shining a light on this shameful day in Tennessee history.
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The NRA called me "feckless" in a front-page NYT story on TN gun theft problem and my bi-partisan bill to fix it. Less than a few hours later, we had a mass shooting that could have been prevented with a red-flag law that the NRA is against. Now, tell me who is really feckless!.
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Integrity is how you act when no one is watching. Comm. Reynolds has continually shown a pattern of willfully not following the law and I felt I was left with no other option but to file an official ethics complaint against her illegal travel paid by an employer of a lobbyist.
NEW: An ethics complaint against TN Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds alleges she accepted travel reimbursements paid for by a group that also lobbies the legislature, in violation of state law and executive branch standards. @Tennessean
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This epidemic of guns being stolen from cars is 💯 a public policy choice. Thats why @yarbro and the leading voices to fix this issue that’s arming criminals in TN. We have two bills we are running that will make our state more safe.
BREAKING: Nearly 30,000 firearms stolen from vehicles since Tennessee GOP relaxed gun laws
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🚨Election Update!🚨 Excited to announce that I will be unopposed for re-election to the House this Fall. I'm honored and humbled to represent #TN59 at the Capitol. I'm proud of my record of common sense governance, common decency and responsiveness toward my constituents. 🧵.
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The new messaging (AKA gaslighting) from Republicans on abortion is unreal. A lot of R's are trying to distract with BS around the Dems position but don't take the bait. @TheDemocrats are the only ones fighting for Women's Reproductive Rights . Here is what you need to know. 🧵.
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Commissioner Reynolds should pack up and bring her shady vouchers back to Texas.
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Around 2013, Fmr. Lt. Gov. Ramsey insisted guns be allowed into the Legislative Office building against the wishes of Speaker Harwell, MNPD and TN Dept. of Safety. I think its safe to say since that time, our political discourse hasn't improved (ex. Jan. 6th).
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It’s the most popular thing I’ve seen in Tennessee too! According to a recent Vanderbilt poll, “Providing free meals at school to those in need garnered 95 percent support among all respondents.”.
Reminder: “Most Americans think public schools should provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of their family income.”
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This is the #vocuherscam trick that was used in other states and now it’s blowing holes in state budgets across the country. Truth is vouchers are tape worms on education budgets. 🪱. We won’t fall for this in Tennessee!.
AZ taxpayers face a $400 million shortfall for voucher program they were told would only cost $65 million. Gap will be bigger next year. These programs aren’t targeting the needy either. More than half of voucher recipients are already in private school.
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Voucher are a scam. If you think so too, please vote NO on the Tennessean poll.
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It's great to hear from Tennessee students opposing HB1202, which would arm teachers in our public schools. It's time to listen to these voices on the actions we can take to keep our communities and schools safe.
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520 guns have been stolen from cars in Nashville this year alone. One stolen last week was used in the shooting of a Metro Police officer. I'll be working on safe storage in a bi-partisan manner during the Aug. special session. #EnoughIsEnough
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So many people are tired of the tit-for-tat between Metro & State. The petty politics of retribution are exhausting. Nashville contributes 38% to the states GDP so let leave well enough alone. My advice for my colleagues is to worry about your districts and less about mine.
At least four bills passed the House on Thursday that would change the makeup of some operations in Nashville.
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I’m proudly endorsing @freddieoconnell for Mayor of Nashville. I’m #readyforfreddie and if you are too, vote for him and pitch in to the campaign at
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Lets talk Medicaid Expansion. Its passed time we did it in Tennessee. Want to know why? A new study by @RWJF estimates Tennessee could decrease the uninsured rate by 27% AND cut state spending. 🧵.
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I’m proud of the bi-partisan efforts of my colleagues to push forward with food insecurity policies to feed kids in schools. We worked very hard to get this bill in a better position this year. This is the most popular policy in TN and cruel that it didn’t get support to pass.
WATCH: “One hungry child is too many.” . @tnhousegop Republicans block 2 bills that tried to feed hungry kids in Tennessee schools — one from @kevinisavol Raper (R) and one from @JRClemmons (D) 😳
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Heavy hearts today for the Covenant families and the Nashville community. One year ago, life changed for everyone. After the tragedy on March 27th, I toured the Covenant Church property right at sunset as I was in shock and had to see it for myself. 🧵 1/5
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Not only can Bon Jovi still rock, he can make a kick ass video in Nashville for the #HarrisWalz2024 campaign. while saving someone's life by helping to talk down someone who was having a mental health crisis from jumping off the Seigenthaler bridge.
The People’s House is a song that celebrates this beautiful place that we call home, from sea to shining sea. The truth matters. And the truth is on election day I’ll be voting for @KamalaHarris and @Tim_Walz because I believe in the power of we, not of me. I’ve written a song
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I first came to the legislature 20 years ago this week to work as a legislative intern. Through hard work, determination, and a desire to help others, I am now in a leading role as a State Representative.
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I am beyond grateful to be re-elected by the citizens of the 59th District to serve in the State Legislature another term. TN is the best state in the country and I look forward to fighting for your rights and being your voice at the Capitol. - Rep. Caleb Hemmer #TN59
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This was a story my fellow Legislators needed to hear. Safe storage is about gun responsibility and tackling a horrible problem we have in TN. There is nothing more hypocritical than agreeing this is a huge public safety problem but not tackling it with pragmatic solutions.
Rep. Caleb Hemmer has advocated for safe gun storage laws all year. Tonight he described a boy who had to throw out his blood-splattered clothes and backpack after a student accidentally killed a classmate in a Nashville school in 1994.
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Just noticed that the top-graded elementary school in Nashville by @USNewsEducation was @JGHornets and they only got a B grade from @TNedu. Just another anecdote to show the State’s grading system is flawed and needs restructuring.
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Hey my friend @jamestalarico- we have a lost #voucherscam pushing Texan here in Tennessee moonlighting as our Education Commissioner. Can you please make sure she stays home in her beloved Texas as we don’t want this voucher scheme either? Thanks!
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Thank you @VP for making a surprise visit to Tennessee today to highlight our efforts to protect democracy and promote common sense gun reforms.
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It saddens me how much time is wasted at the Capitol on culture war issues when we have real problems like DCS kids sleeping on floors. Grateful for people like @VoteGloriaJ @Campbell4TN who actually do something and are finding solutions to this problem.
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I'm a proud member of the anti-incest caucus. 🤦♂️.
Rep Bulso doesn't want Pride flags in schools but used the Supremes' same-sex ruling to try to argue that first cousins should be able to marry, including gay first cousins:
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Great to meet @GovAndyBeshear tonight. I’ve been a big fan of his leadership in KY and how he has been able to win and govern in a red state. It gives me hope for the future here in TN.
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If you haven't seen enough of the Gabrielle Hanson 💩Show in Franklin, this is the latest in a string of irreprehensible behavior. Franklin, for the love of GOD, please don't vote for this unhinged extremist for Mayor.
BREAKING: Controversial Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle @HansonforMayor refuses to denounce “actual literal Nazis” who came to forum to “protect” her and blames her colleagues for the division in the community. “You reap what you sow.” 1/
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Maybe I should have asked if UT was actually Univ. of Texas?.
🤔WATCH: “Are you a Tennessee resident, commissioner? It’s a simple yes or no.” . Dems presented evidence @GovBillLee’s @TNedu commissioner Lizzette Reynolds doesn’t even live in TN — she parachuted into for a “smash & grab” with Lee’s voucher scam.
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Large scale academic study based on TN experience with Medicaid disenrollment shows what we already know. there is a strong correlation between having health insurance and lower crime rates. Expand Medicaid = Reduced Crime! #expandmedicaidnow
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Talk about saying the quiet part out loud! Voucher sponsor says about the goal of the legislation- 'We're trying to throw the whole freaking system in the trash'. Something tells me I’ll see a Phil Williams hallway chasing style interview at the Capitol.
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Unless BNA is planning on doing test flights with Spruce Goose, I think they overstepped with their overlay boundries. by a lot. This unconstitutional takeover of @flynashville by the state GOP has been a boondoggle from the start and will likely be overturned by a judge.
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Add TN! Glad to see a few of my Republican colleagues starting to have serious discussions on Medicaid Expansion. I'm tired of our tax dollars paying for healthcare for 40 other states while we close hospitals and people add debt & suffer. It's not right! #expandmedicaidnow.
“The devil’s going to be in the details.” Key lawmakers in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi show openness to Medicaid expansion. 📝: @dchangmiami & Andy Miller (@gahealthnews):
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Guess who is running for re-election? Honored to serve in the Tennessee Legislature and represent District 59. #tnleg #tn59 #tennessee
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